AMD Opteron 6220 vs Intel Core i7-3635QM Comparison

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-3635QM and AMD Opteron 6220 represent fundamentally different design philosophies from their respective manufacturers. The i7-3635QM is a mobile processor built on Intel's 22 nm Ivy Bridge architecture, manufactured by Intel with 1,480 million transistors on a 160 mm² die. It features 4 physical cores with 8 threads via Hyper-Threading, base clock of 2.40 GHz, and boost clock of 3.40 GHz. Its cache hierarchy consists of 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, plus 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The chip uses the Intel BGA 1224 socket and carries a 45 W TDP, reflecting its mobile market segment. Integrated graphics are present in the form of Intel HD 4000.

The Opteron 6220, by contrast, is a server/workstation processor from AMD's Opteron 6000 series, built on the 32 nm Bulldozer architecture (codename Interlagos) at GlobalFoundries. It packs 8 cores with 8 threads, running at a base clock of 3.00 GHz and boost clock of 3.60 GHz. The cache design is notably different: 768 KB L1 total, 2 MB L2 per module, and 8 MB L3 per die. The physical package uses two dies, each 315 mm², containing 2,400 million transistors combined. It fits the AMD Socket G34, supports DDR3 memory with ECC, and features a quad-channel memory bus delivering 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. The TDP is substantially higher at 115 W. PCIe Gen 2 is provided, but no integrated graphics exist.

The architectural divergence is stark. Intel relies on fewer, wider cores with simultaneous multithreading; AMD uses more numerous, modular cores on a dual-die package. The Opteron's process node is larger (32 nm vs 22 nm), yet it uses significantly more transistors and die area. Memory bandwidth favors the Opteron dramatically: quad-channel DDR3 with ECC versus dual-channel on the Intel part. ECC support is exclusive to the AMD chip, a feature critical for server reliability. The Intel chip's integrated GPU adds functionality absent from the Opteron, but the Opteron counters with server-grade memory features. The release timeline shows the Opteron arriving in November 2011, with the i7-3635QM following in August 2012. The Opteron is end-of-life, and its launch MSRP was $523.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on benchmark outcomes, the Intel Core i7-3635QM wins every head-to-head comparison, taking all 6 benchmark tests. The margins, however, are remarkably thin. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Intel chip scores 408 versus 407 for the Opteron, a 0.2% edge. In single-core R15, both chips are tied at 57, with Intel declared the winner by a 0% delta. The R20 multicore test shows Intel leading 1703 to 1696 (0.4%), and R20 single-core shows 240 to 239 (0.4%). R23 multicore gives Intel 4057 against 4040 (0.4%), and R23 single-core 572 to 570 (0.4%).

The use-case split is not about raw performance superiority, since the differences are within noise levels. Instead, the wins come from platform attributes. The Opteron 6220 wins for server workloads requiring ECC memory, quad-channel bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, and eight physical cores for heavily threaded server tasks. Its 115 W TDP is acceptable in a rack environment where cooling is ample and power is less constrained. The Intel i7-3635QM wins for mobile deployments where the 45 W TDP makes it feasible in a laptop chassis, and where the integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU. The Intel chip's 8 threads from 4 cores with Hyper-Threading provide decent multi-threaded performance within a mobile power envelope.

Benchmark data alone cannot separate these two on compute capability; the deltas are all below 0.5%. Therefore, the "win" is defined by the surrounding platform: memory support, power budget, and physical socket. The Opteron's ECC and quad-channel memory give it an edge in data integrity and memory throughput scenarios. The Intel chip's lower TDP and integrated graphics make it the only viable option for battery-powered systems.

The Verdict

The data presents an unusual situation: two processors with nearly identical average benchmark scores (1170 for Intel, 1168 for AMD) and identical percentile rankings (33rd percentile for both), yet they target completely different markets. The Intel Core i7-3635QM wins all six head-to-head comparisons, but the largest margin is 0.4%. This is not a performance victory; it is a tie in compute capability.

The correct choice depends entirely on the deployment context. For a mobile workstation or high-end laptop, the i7-3635QM is the only rational pick. Its 45 W TDP allows cooling in a thin chassis, and the integrated HD 4000 graphics provide display output without additional hardware. The BGA 1224 socket is soldered, meaning it comes with a motherboard designed for mobile use.

For a server or workstation, the Opteron 6220 is the appropriate selection. The Socket G34 platform supports dual-socket configurations, ECC memory is mandatory for many server workloads, and the quad-channel memory bus with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth is essential for memory-intensive applications. The 115 W TDP is trivial in a server chassis with forced-air cooling. The Opteron is end-of-life, which may matter for long-term availability, but its launch MSRP was $523.

The benchmark scores suggest that for single-threaded tasks, both chips are equivalent (R15 single: 57 vs 57; R20 single: 240 vs 239; R23 single: 572 vs 570). For multi-threaded tasks, the Intel chip holds a microscopic lead (R15 multi: 408 vs 407; R20 multi: 1703 vs 1696; R23 multi: 4057 vs 4040). Neither chip is a performance leader; both sit at the 33rd percentile of all CPUs. The nearest rival list shows both chips within 0.2% of the Intel Core i7-2960XM and Intel Core i5-3570S, and within 0.2% of each other.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are remarkably consistent. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-3635QM scores 408 against the Opteron's 407, a 0.2% advantage. The R15 single-core test is a dead heat at 57 points each, with Intel awarded the win at 0% delta. Moving to R20, the Intel chip leads 1703 to 1696 in multicore (0.4%) and 240 to 239 in single-core (0.4%). R23 shows the same pattern: 4057 to 4040 in multicore (0.4%) and 572 to 570 in single-core (0.4%).

The largest performance gap in any test is 0.4%, which appears in four of the six benchmarks. This is within typical run-to-run variance for Cinebench iterations. The Intel chip's margin in R15 multicore is 0.2%, and the single-core R15 tie at 57 confirms that per-thread performance is identical between the two architectures.

Interpreting these results: the Opteron's 8 physical cores do not translate into a multi-core advantage over Intel's 4 cores with 8 threads. In fact, the Intel chip edges ahead in every multi-core test, despite having half the physical core count. This suggests that Intel's Ivy Bridge cores are substantially more efficient per core than AMD's Bulldozer modules. The Opteron's higher base clock (3.00 GHz vs 2.40 GHz) and boost clock (3.60 GHz vs 3.40 GHz) do not compensate for the architectural efficiency gap.

The average benchmark scores corroborate this: the i7-3635QM averages 1170 across all its benchmarks, while the Opteron averages 1168. The nearest rival data shows both chips clustered with the Intel Core i7-2960XM (1169), Intel Core i5-3570S (1169), and Intel Core i3-7320 (1173). The i7-3635QM is 0.1% ahead of the i7-2960XM and i5-3570S, and 0.2% ahead of the Opteron. The Opteron is 0.1% behind the i5-3570S and i7-2960XM, and 0.2% behind the i7-3635QM.

Geekbench results are only available for the Intel chip: multicore score of 1790 and single-core of 532. No Geekbench data exists for the Opteron, so cross-comparison is not possible from the fact pack.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The AMD Opteron 6220 has 8 physical cores, while the Intel Core i7-3635QM has 4 physical cores. However, the Intel chip supports 8 threads via Hyper-Threading, matching the Opteron's thread count.

Q: Do the benchmark results show a clear winner?

A: The Intel Core i7-3635QM wins all 6 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, but the margins are extremely small. The largest advantage is 0.4% in Cinebench R20 and R23 multicore and single-core tests. The R15 single-core test is a tie at 57 points.

Q: What memory features differentiate the two processors?

A: The AMD Opteron 6220 supports DDR3 memory with ECC, uses a quad-channel memory bus, and provides 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth. The Intel Core i7-3635QM uses a dual-channel memory bus and does not support ECC memory.

Q: How do their power requirements compare?

A: The Intel Core i7-3635QM has a TDP of 45 W, suitable for mobile devices. The AMD Opteron 6220 has a TDP of 115 W, appropriate for server environments.

Q: Which chip includes integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Core i7-3635QM includes integrated graphics, specifically Intel HD 4000. The AMD Opteron 6220 has no integrated graphics.

Q: Are these processors comparable in average benchmark score?

A: Yes. The Intel Core i7-3635QM has an average benchmark score of 1170, while the AMD Opteron 6220 scores 1168. Both sit at the 33rd percentile of all CPUs, and their nearest rival lists place them within 0.2% of each other.